Messi makes it 50 in Barcelona win
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Barcelona's player David Villa (R) celebrates his goal against Osasuna during their Spanish first division soccer match at Nou Camp stadium in Barcelona April 23, 2011. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) |
FC Barcelona beat Osasuna 2-0 in the Camp Nou stadium on Saturday night to maintain their eight-point lead over Real madrid at the top of the BBVA Primera Liga table.
David Villa and Leo Messi scored the goals to keep the points in Barcelona in what was a disappointing display from the Catalans ahead of next week's Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid.
Following the lead of Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho in his side's triumph away to Valencia earlier in the day, Barca boss Pep Guardiola rested the majority of the players who had taken part in the final of the Copa del Rey on Wednesday.
Only four players, David Villa, Dani Alves, Javier Mascherano and Sergio Busquets repeated their place in the starting 11.
Ibrahima Affelay, Jeffren Suarez and Thiago Alcantara all began a match that Barca began with a five point lead over Madrid at the top of the table.
Osasuna meanwhile kicked off just two points above the relegation zone and on the back of two defeats. The visitors were looking well-organized and Barca struggled to find spaces until the 23rd minute when David Villa put them ahead.
Jeffren found space on the left and the Barca striker was on hand to score his first goal in 12 matches, to his obvious relief.
Barcelona looked comfortable, but failed to create further chances and Osasuna almost made them pay in the closing minutes of the first half when Crisitan Vadocz headed at Victor Valdes.
Valdes then had to react well to tip a shot from former Barca youngster Damia Perez onto the woodwork and out to safety.
Guardiola reacted by bringing Andres Iniesta on at halftime for Jeffren, who looked to have suffered a muscle injury and before the hour Leo Messi replaced Villa, who was cheered off the pitch.
Shortly afterwards Barca were forced into their final change of the game when Xavi Hernandez replaced the injured Gabi Milito. The second half was turning into a tedious affair with neither side able to move the ball fluidly, although the play was mainly in the Osasuna half and it was not until the 74th minute that Iniesta managed Barca's first decent shot of the half with an effort that flew over the Osasuna bar.
Messi scored Barcelona's second goal with three minutes remaining, but it was not a good performance from the league leaders.
